Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;gypsy kiss&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Gypsy Kiss’, characterized by its relatively compact and upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; large reddish purple-colored flowers with darker reddish purple-colored venation and very light purple-colored margins; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: Reé Schoone

Filed: Jun. 6, 2020

Ser. No. 62/705,003

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of this provisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘GYPSY KISS’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Mar. 18, 2021, application number 2021/0831. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Gypsy Kiss’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Den Hoorn and Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in November, 2011 in Den Hoorn, The Netherlands of a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3708, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3676, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in January, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlands since January, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Gypsy Kiss’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Gypsy Kiss’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact and upright plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.     -   3 Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Strong leaves.     -   5 Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per         plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.     -   6. Large reddish purple-colored flowers with darker reddish         purple-colored venation and very light purple-colored margins.     -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in plant habit as plants of the new Phalaenopsis are shorter than plants of the female parent selection. In addition, flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are reddish purple in color whereas flowers of plants of the female parent selection are purple in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in plant habit as plants of the new Phalaenopsis are shorter than plants of the male parent selection. In addition, flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are reddish purple in color whereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection are violet in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Vivaldi’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Vivaldi’ in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have flowers with very light purple-colored margin edges whereas plants of ‘Vivaldi’ have flowers that do not have very light purple or whitish-colored margin edges. In addition, the curvature of the labellum is stronger in plants of the new Phalaenopsis than plants of ‘Vivaldi’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Gypsy Kiss’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower and flower buds of ‘Gypsy Kiss’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the early spring in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs and description were taken. During the first twelve months of production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the final six months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. During the 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Gypsy Kiss’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number ST 3708, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number ST 3676, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks             at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to             30° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in             color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate             temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; relatively             compact and upright plant habit with typically two             inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous             flowers; monopodial; moderately vigorous growth habit and             moderate growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             13.5 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 37.8 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 27.5 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             six leaves per plant.         -   Length.—About 18.6 cm.         -   Width.—About 6.4 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate to narrowly oblong; slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Unequal acute.         -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.5 cm. Sheath width:             About 1.3 cm. Sheath color: Close to 143A; strongly tinged             towards the margins with close to 200A.         -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; margin             edges, tinged with close to 200A; fine speckles, close to             NN137A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 147A             overlain with close to 189A; margin edges, close to 147A;             venation, close to 147A. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close to 146A; margin edges, close to 147A;             venation, close to 137A. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two             inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about             eight flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching             inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with             three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal             transformed into a labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months             after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter             into the spring.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 20.3 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 14.3 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 cm by             1.7 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 152A to 152B;             towards the apex and lower surface, tinged with close to             183B.         -   Flower size.—Large, about 8.7 cm (vertical) by 10 cm             (horizontal).         -   Flower depth.—About 2.6 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.8 cm. Width: About 6 cm.             Shape: Reniform to lunate. Apex: Obtuse to broad and bluntly             acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When             opening, upper surface: Close to 72B; towards the margins             and apex, close to N78A; at the base (at column connection),             close to N78A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 77B;             center, strongly tinged with close to 150C and 150D. Fully             opened, upper surface: Close to N78B slightly blended with             close to NN78B; at the base (at column connection), close to             NN78A; at the margin edges, close to 76C to 76D; venation,             darker than ground color, close to a blend of N78A and             NN78A; color does not change with subsequent development.             Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N75B; center, tinged             with close to 157A; towards the margins, close to 77B and at             the margin edges, close to 76C to 76D; venation, close to             N75A; color does not change with subsequent development.         -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and             a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 1.7 cm. Length, central lobe: About             3.5 cm. Width, central lobe: About 7 mm to 24 mm. Shape,             lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,             lateral lobes: Rounded. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two             narrow and strongly recurved cirrose tips, about 1.5 cm in             length and about 1 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:             Entire; coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at             the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral             petals; about 5 mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about             6 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to a blend of 185B and 187C; at the base,             stripes, close to 157C; venation, close to a blend of 185A             and 187B. Central lobe: Close to 187D; towards the margins             and apex, close to 187C; at the base (at column connection),             close to 157D with radial stripes, close to 175A; cirrose             tips, close to 187C. Callosities: Close to 21C; fine dots,             close to 185A. When opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes:             Close to 197D; central blotch, close to 182C to 182D; apical             margin, close to 70A and basal margin, close to 183B to             183C. Central lobe: Close to 183D; towards the apex, close             to 156D and 157B; towards the base and at the base (at             column connection), close to 156D; towards the margins,             close to 185C and at the margin edges, close to 183B;             cirrose tips, close to 187C. Fully opened, upper surface:             Lateral lobes: Close to N78A; towards the base, close to a             blend of 185B and 187C and at the base, stripes, close to             157C; venation, close to a blend of 185A and 187B. Central             lobe: Close to 187D; towards the margins and apex, close to             187C; at the base (at column connection), close to 157D with             radial stripes, close to 175A; main vein, close to 187C;             cirrose tips, close to 187C. Callosities: Close to 21C; fine             dots, close to 185A. Fully opened, lower surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to 197D; central blotch, close to 182C to 182D;             apical margin, close to 70A and basal margin, close to 183B             to 183C. Central lobe: Close to 183D; towards the apex,             close to 156D and 157B; towards the base and at the base (at             column connection), close to 156D; towards the margins,             close to 181B and at the margin edges, close to 181A;             cirrose tips, close to 187C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal             sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:             About 4.8 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.4 cm. Length,             lateral sepals: About 4.7 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About             3 cm. Shape, dorsal and lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal             sepal: Bluntly acute to occasionally, shallowly retuse.             Apex, lateral sepals: Bluntly acute. Base, dorsal and             lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals:             Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color,             dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface: Close to N79C; at             the base (at column connection), close to N78A; venation,             darker than N78A. When opening, lower surface: Close to a             blend of 152D and 195A; towards the margins and apex, close             to N77B; venation, close to 183B. Fully opened, upper             surface: Close to N78A; towards the margins and apex, close             to N78B; at the margin edges, close to 76C to 76D; at the             base (at column connection), close to NN78A; venation,             darker than a blend of N78A and NN78A. Fully opened, lower             surface: Close to 196A to 196B; towards the margins and             apex, close to N78D; venation, close to N77B. Color, lateral             sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to N79C; at the             base, blotches and fine dots, close to 151D; venation,             darker than N78A. When opening, lower surface: Close to a             blend of 152D and 195A; towards the margins and apex, close             to N77B; venation, close to 183B. Fully opened, upper             surface: Close to N78B; at the margin edges, close to 76C to             76D; at the base (at column connection), blotches and fine             dots, close to 151D; venation, close to a blend of N78A and             NN78A. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 197D; towards             the margins and apex, close to N78C to N78D; venation, close             to N77B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 39.8 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to             146A to 146B; densely covered with fine dots, close to             between N186C and 200A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 50° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to 148C; proximally, close 148A and distally, close to             156C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.             Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to N78B;             apical blotch, close to 76C. Pollinia quantity: Two.             Pollinia diameter (per two pollinia): About 2.5 mm. Pollinia             color: Close to 24A. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 4 mm.             Stigma width: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma             color: Close to 157D. Ovary length: About 8 mm. Ovary             diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 144C. Seeds and             fruits: To date, seed and fruit development have not been             observed on plants of the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Gypsy Kiss’ as illustrated and described. 